NSW Health has issued a measles alert for both community and clinicians following confirmed cases in the state. Public exposure locations are being updated regularly on the NSW health website. This comes amid a national warning from the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control in October, urging Australians to prioritise measles vaccination after outbreaks in four states.
There is an increased local risk for measles in NSW due to several recent public exposures (e.g. Oasis concert) and one locally acquired case in Sydney with no known source.
Consider measles in symptomatic people, regardless of their age, travel history, or measles vaccination status. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause serious complications. Measles is commonly spread when a person breathes in the measles virus that has been coughed or sneezed into the air by an infectious person. The first symptoms are fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and feeling unwell. A few days later a rash appears. Symptoms of measles usually start 10 days after being exposed to the virus but can sometimes take as few as seven or as many as 18 days to appear. The rash usually appears around 14 days after exposure to the measles virus.
Isolate cases of suspected measles and call your Public Health Unit urgently on 1300 066 055
Prioritise up to date immunisation including measles vaccination:
- The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is available for free under the National Immunisation Program for children at 12 and 18 months of age.
- Anyone born during or after 1966 should have two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine.
- In NSW, the measles-mumps rubella is also free for anyone born after 1965 who has not already had two doses. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world now.
- Children under 12 months of age can have an extra, early dose of MMR as early as 6 months of age if they are travelling overseas.
Additional resources:
AHCWA has developed a suite of useful resources to assist ACCHOs with preparing and responding to measles.
NSW health: Fact sheet on measles, information for contacts, NSW health clinician alert,
